A Second Wind – Coping with Being Laid off When You Are over 50

Months ago, I was laid off from a company that I had been with for 25 years. I was summoned… told by the president that I was done… and offered assistance to pack up my office. As I drove home… I was angry and numb… kind of running on “auto pilot”. In the early days I told myself everyone will want me and sent my resume out with the highest of confidence that I would be “scooped up”. Even my two “twenty something” sons confirmed my thoughts. Outsiders however were no so encouraging. Each time I told someone that I in fact was a victim of the current economic downturn…they would feel compelled to relate stories of this one and that one who lost their job “ages ago” and had not been able to rebound. In order to stop these voices of doom and gloom, I ceased telling people of my status. Instead, I would simply say that I was working from home! Not a fabrication since networking and applying for jobs is very hard work and requires many hours per day.

During this time I was the happiest I had ever been…and physically looked my best also! Each day I kept physically and mentally busy making sure that there was always some effort being made to move forward. I was being quite successful keeping those nasty little voices in my head quiet… so all was well. But, could I pass the test with nay Sayers? My first encounter was with my brother. He quickly pointed out that I was over fifty and lacked a Master’s Degree… hence no one would want me. I would have to settle for some small insignificant job… and my lifestyle as I had known it would be over…if I could get hired at all. SUCCESS! No little voices chiming in with my brother’s rendition of what was in my future. In fact, it made me even more energized and determined to show my brother and the world that there is a future for one who is over 50… and sometimes a better one!

You know, in my life, the universe has forced me to make changes when I wasn’t able to on my own…like leaving a bad relationship…or moving on from a bad job situation. So, when my career was taken away, I relied on my faith in the process…and knew something wonderful was ahead of me. This time I countered the voices…telling myself how happy I was and that something wonderfully exciting was coming my way. Each night I lit a small tea light and thanked the universe for this wonderful new opportunity along with the love and support that allowed me to follow the path that was coming. As the days turned into months, my alignment with Spirit fostered excitement and anticipation. And then…it happened…I found my “Second Wind”! The “Second Wind” is that energetic magical force that rises up inside of you when desires join force with your alignment with Spirit. It is this “Second Wind” that has brought a wonderful new opportunity for a career in a field that I would have never pursued had I not been laid off.

So…regardless of your age or station in life…know that there exists a “Second Wind” that will carry you to wonderful new places! All you have to do is STOP listening to the voices…BELIEVE in the power of Spirit…and LET GO of the old so that the “Second Wind” can sweep you away to wonderful new places!

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